In Situ Experiments with X ray Tomography: an Attractive Tool for Experimental Mechanics

摘要

This paper aims at illustrating the potential of X-ray tomography for studying the mechanical behaviour of materials through in situ experiments. Typical experimental tomography set ups which use laboratory and synchrotron X ray sources are described; advantages and limitations of both types of sources are presented. Dedicated experimental devices which allow deformation and/or temperature changes to be applied to various types of materials are described. Examples of results of in situ mechanical experiments are presented and discussed; they include monotonic tensile testing of steel fiber entanglements, high temperature compression and room temperature fatigue of Al alloys. Examples of quantitative assessment of localisation of deformation in the interior of optically opaque samples under mechanical loading are also described.